Method of constructing subaqueous tunnels.



J. S. WILLIAMS.

METHOD Of CONSTRUCTING SUBAQUEOUS TUNNELS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 7, I9 1,072,068,

SI RENEWED JAN.25.1913,

Patented ept. L?,

r in J. S. WXLLIAMS.

METHOD 0F CQNSTRUCTING SUBAQUBOUS TUNNBLS.

RNBWED JAN.

APPLICATION LLED DKG. 1,072,068.

5 SHEETS-'SHEET Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

J. S. WXLZIAMS.

METHOD o? CQNSTRUCTING SUBAQUEOUS TUNNELS.

APPLXCATION TILHU DEU 7, 1906. RENEWED JAN.:25.1913.

Patented Sept. 2. 1913 atto/Lump z2: NLO

J: S. WILLIAMS.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING SUBAQUEOUS TUNNELS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.7,1905.

RENEWED JAN.25,1918.

5 SHEETSASHEIT 4.

aucune :j

Patented Sept. 2, 1913,

1 ,072,068. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

"S TUNNELS.

Simmons: &

JOSEFH S. WILLIAMS, Oli? BIVERTON, NEXV JERSEY.

Application eld December 7, X908, Serial No. 346,775.

l Specification of Letters Eat-ent.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTNG SUBAQUOUS TUNNELS.

heimwee January 25, isis. serial No. 744,090.

'be done and many unforeseen deiays in. construction with much danger in carrying o-ut of the Work and great uncertainty as to siability, alimentent and the maintenanct of pressure resistance, which have caused uncertainty as to the safety and iie o? the tunnel construction. "he liability of ieanago, owing to the breaking down of the elements encompassing the tunnel way from the instability of the foundation thereof and of @the tunnel encompassing olennuns, en-

taiis great leakage under practised methods and renders it nccessa ry in nearly every case, to ltecp in constant-'operation a pumping a pparatus of large capacity i" or removing` such water from the tunnels.

The object of my present invention is to devise Anovel methods and means by which subaqueous tunnels may he constructed with economy, rapidity and freedom of the risks attending the present methods and in such a: manner as to establish in tunnels absolutely reliable standards of snbaqueou's pressure resistance, the tunnel being so constructed that on transverse section line it. will he provided with absolutely reliabie standards of lreinforced suhaqneous pressure resistance :rnd water proof construction, and predetermined standards o trailic load bridging and supporting capacities andA 'i'leatures o'fsafety and bed reinforcement per predetermined unit lengt-h and width of the 'construction in continuity throughout such construction.

Such tunnel .const ruction formed by placing transportable water prooi' tunnel sections o? construction in accurate aiinement as to gr "L novel construction o i is reinforce i to such st as int-zy be determined t suchI bed or incontini; seetions of such con been ha Je er the tnnnel.

placedin position and connected with each other, they are bailasted into union with the foundation bed of construction thereunder.

To the above ends my novel method consists in establishing a survey and structural chart above the bed of the waterway, such chart showing the longitudinal and sectional lines and also the lines in accordancevvith which the water Way Ais to be accurately excavated, graded and ballasted. After the survey lines of the tunnel have been established the bed of the water way is equipped with a continuous line of sheet piling for a ,icfshed. distance and with piers so constructed' as to accurately aline the tunnc Sections while they are being lowered into position, such piers being so located that the joints or anions of meeting;` tunnel sections will rest there-on.

it' further consists of a nove-l method of constructing tunnels wherein the foundation bed' of construct-ion is rst. prepared by excavating the hed of the Water way, lriallasting such excavated' bed to a desired grade, such bed being reinforced, it desired, with pilesapped with concrete and with piers ai predetermined intervais.

it further consists in a novel manner of constructing' the tunnel sections and establishing them i'h place on the foundation bed of ,eons'tru'ctioh tt further consists of a1 novel method of uniting the different tunnel sections with ,cach other and a novei method of uniting;

the ends of the tunnel W: ys with docks provided 'with water proof chambers comn;u'

nir Fing with the subway and surface trailie lines. i

Vit further consists of n novei meth'd of constructing tunnels wherein the tunnel scctions are hallasted into union with the resistance hed thereunder, and lap joint and side line resisanccs are provided so as to provide, during the process of construction, a continuous tunnel way with bulk heads in the endsl of erich l'rt'ispotablc section So that,

ance may bel made in the air locked tunscom, from the shore ends, after all .i or into one or more sections by i ctending therefrom to tiorin of the ulining system the .t are established,whereby the operators van ballast each air locked section,

Patented Sept. 2, 1.913.v

il O

if not otherwise ballasted, remove the bulk heads to forni the union at the meeting ends material or a combination of such, preferably water roofed to an inoxidizable standard and em edded partly or entirely in a reinforcing material continuously throughout the subaqueous tunnel line. The ends of the lwill give in tunnel line are in reinforced and water proof anchorage with the water line chambers or -wharf structures and in reinforced and reinforcing ballasted union with my novel construction of resistance bed and also with subway shore lines, it being understood that the chords or other elements are provided with a heavily reinforced inner lining backed. by water proofing and faced and embedded thereby and reinforced by a lining of heat resisting material having metal reinforcements embedded therein, if desired.

My invention also consists in a novel method of forming the foundation bed of construction, a novel method of constructing the tunnel sections, a novel method of establishing such sections in place on the foundation bed and forming a union between the meeting ends of adjacent tunnel sections, a novel method of unitin the tunnel sections with the foundation be of construction and a novel method of unitingthe tunnel line with the shore connections and other novel features of construction, as will hereinafter appear in thedetailed description of one manner of carrying out my method.

In order to illustrate one manner inv which my method may be advantageously carried out I haveshown in the' accompanying drawings one form of a construction which practice satisfactory and reliable results.

Figure '1Y represents a'. lan view of an actual survey showing the. epth of the water and also. an alineinent system and equipments for the construction of subaqueous tunnels embodying my novel method. Fig. 2 represents asectional elevation. of a subaqueous tunnel line, showing in addition the .shore connections `and ,other equipments1 byt stab ity which. the ,accurate alinement an of the Astructure are obtained. Fig. 3 representsa plan view, artly broken away, showing'one olithe a ining piers or reinforceincntsoffthe foundation bed. Fig. 4 represents aplan View, partly broken away, simiiarrtc Fig. 3, but .showing in addition the reinforced, ballasted head of the grade line pier. Fig. 5 Arepresents in sectional elevaon, and thc other tunnel section in co-alinenient and co-action with the alining resistances and ready to be lowered into position on the foundation bed. Fig. 6 represents a sectional plan view ofliig. 5. Fig. 7 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of a dredged channel way, and sheu'ing different stages of the construction. Fig. 8 represents a sectional perspective view of one of the piers showing more clearly the manner in which the union of the two sections is accomplished. Fig. 9 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of an inner lap joint union, and also showin-g means for establishing a water seal across the meeting'ends of the tunnel alined structures. Fig. 10 represents a plan view of Fig. 9. Fig. l1 re resent-s a perspective view of a water ed, showingdi'erent stages' in the construction of a tunnel in accordance with my novel method.l Fig. 12 rcprcscnts a perspective view, partly in section, showing more clearly another step in thc construction ofY tunnels in accordance with my novel method.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings in order that my novel method may bercadily understood l will, when possible, in the detailed description of such method, take up the different stages of construction in the natural or logical sequence in which they take place in the actual carrying out of the tunnel construction.

The working ciarL--The first step in the construction of tunnels in accordance with my novel method, is to survey the tunnel, line and provide a longitudinal tunnel line 1, see more particularly Figs. 1 to 3, the

grade resistance line 2, see Figs. 4, 5, and 7,` the exact alining lines 3 3 and the approximate lines 4 4.' After such alining lines are established and indicated by suitable means along the alined water bed, the transverse sectional lines 6 are defined, saidlines indicating the transverse sectional center line of the piers 85, see Fig. 3.: The sec.- tional lines 9 and 10, Fig. 3, are'located and also such section lines G at which the meeting ends of tunnel sections are located as indicated at 19. e I. l

The foundation. bei-.Side pilings or walls 5 are next established for a desired distance equidistant fromthe center line l and substantially on the approximate alining lines 4 4, such side pilings being adapted to support the alining and working platforms 7, which latter are built across the alined water bed and' 'serve as approximate alining elements for the lholding and placement of transportable tunnel sections and as side resistance elements for the establishment of suitable chambers after the sections .have

be reinforced by pilings before or after the been lowered into place so that a suitable union of the adjoining sections may he formed at Such points as hereinafter de scribed. After the platforms 7 arr c lished along the sectional lengths of the water bed. the center, dimensions and ap proximate lines of the structures are defined thereon and also a Constr ction water level line', tunnel see-tion lines and Athe other sec tional alining lines for the establishment of suitable piers, so that the tunnel sections on being lowered onto the foundation bed will be located in proper tunnel alinenient.. Aft-er the side alining pilings 5 have been placed in position, the space between such pilings is excavated by dredging or otherwise, to a suitable grade, as seen at 16, lf`igs. 5 and 7.` The graded bedis then ballasted, if desired, to an alinable grade, as seen at l5, Figs. 5 and 7, between the piers 85, to be lu reinall r described, or the bed between such piers n transportable sections have been place and such reinforced bed ballasted with sav-itable material as concrete or cementto an alinable resistance grade 15, Figs. 5 and 7, or such -bed may be reinforced throughout by haltion of the tunnel completed and the alinenient oit the trarsportable sectifms proceed continuously" or for any given length oi' sections and (heee side pilings serre reinforcements for the foundation bed below the A1grade of the graded and alined bed l5 and as side alining and supporting resistance; for theI tunnel sections. This ballasting may be carried out by balla 'ing l'roin the oliiiing" and working platforms 7 abeve the water line ir from tloatingnessels 9?), see Vig. 7, equipped with suitable means i'or conducting the ballast to the foundation andA lied of the .water way, or the ballasting4 may be partly carried out through ballawting ports in tlictunn'el sections, as hereinafter niort fully described.

The bed of the construction may be reinforced to such a. standard of resistance that the bridging capacity taken on any Set-lion linerwill be suilicient to support the maximum trallic passing thereover, without taliing into consideration the tratlie :aipporting' capacity of the tunnel sections.

The piers 85.-.lis`will be more 'fully here inafter explained, each tunnel section se constructed that. it will have il requisite t. only strength and bridging capacity i supported at each end so that if the entire elem( bel of construction should give way between ech end, the tunnel section would Still have ceqiiate factors of safety to support the maximum tratlic load passing over such section and in order that provision may be made for said supports at the end of each tunnel section and otherwise at predetermined points throughout the tunnel line at predetermined distances, l reinforce the bed otcenstrnction preferably by forming piers of a novel construction. The bed of construction at, such points suitably piled and these piles are capped with concrete, cement or other suitable material and this capping material. is reinforced by metal l elements,

having any desired contour, embedded there- Y in and arranged inany suitable manner, these metal elements being afterward embedded in concrete. cement; or asphaltnm and bnil up to the grade line 2 of the tun.- ne! line. The upper portion of the foundaien portion of the pier S5 is provided with le transversely extending channel 207,'see 5,7 and ll, which extends from one side of the pier to the other land communi- Cates with the chambers formed in the sides ot the piers 85. The inner face of the piers .Q3 provided with alining standards, the upper portions of which are inclined or bei# elcd as indicated at 18 so that the tunnel sections when lowered, will be accurately guided inte position, see Figs. 5 and 7, thel inner portion 17 of the lower surface of these guide standards being` approximately of the same diameter as the exact measurement of one of i ie transportable tunnel sections.

These guiding members 1'7 and 18 form a lap joint chamber 54, 6, 7 and 1l, communicating with the chamber 207 and these chambers are preferably reinforced by metal i, such as the bars 209 located therein, il' ing understood that after the sections are located in place on the foundation bed this chamber 54 will be filled with a sealing material, such as concrete or cement. Ardjnming standards li-ll are provided, as bestseen in Figs. G and 7, the purpose of which -will hereinafter appear. The top of the pier Si? is oreferably formed by a capping niemlgier 53, the upper surface of which on the tunnel grade line 2, as seen in Fig. i2. The pilings whish form the sides of the piers 85 :and to which the approx :nat-e alinfing members i8 and exact alining,Y .members 17 are secured are extended upwardly in order to support. the platforn'is 7 on which 'the wf' king' chart is imlieated. At suitable .zinnige pas-- in taal any i ir he carried into Vish such t chaml'icrs remo-.ed therefrom .therefrom as self-Hoatable or drainage chambers under the structure and cap the chambers with reinforcements so that such structure is adapted to operate as a reinforced resistance in the bed of construction.

It is desirable in certain cases to build the tunnel sections in water proof chambersflocated at the ends of the tunnel line, which afterward can be` finished and converted into wharves or piers at which vessels can discharge their cargoes, the water proof chambers of Such wharves being connected,

'if desired, with subway systems, while the into union with the encompassing Walls or otherwise, as nay be found necessary for establishing a stable resistance bed, primarily for the construction of transportable tunnel sections therein, and subsequently as a bed on which to establish suoli sections and for forming a. permanent water? tight andwater proof chamber in whiclithe sub-- aqueous tunnel lines may terminate and into which the road beds and vtracks thereof may be continued and through which they may be established into communication with the subway lines and through communicating systems of traflic. der such conditions is preferably reinforced in such a mamier as to have a bridging capacity on any section line capable of supporting the maximum traffic passing thereover and the reinforcing elements in such bed are preferably united in such a'manner as to form a continuity of the tunnel bed of construction and other lin( communicating with such water tight chhmber. -For the primary uses of such chamber in the construction of a tunnel section, t-he foundation floor 105, see Fig. 2,-is reinforced, ballasted and alined for the vstructural alinement and construction of the transportable tunnel sections to be built therein and transported as buoyable and transportable structuresinto position for placement through the water way end of such chamber, which is adapted to be opened and closed. Suitable means are provided whereby such chambers may-be filled with water for the purpose of floating the vsections andY suitable means are also provided for removing the water from such chambers when the tunnel sections shall be .moved The foundation bed untherefrom and the passageway closed, whereby t-he work of constructing the transporting tunnel sections can be carried on successively until theentire alined water bed shall be equipped therewith so that the last placed tunnel section when building from one shore toward one of such chambers, will projectinto the passageway or to any desired extent t-herethrough.` The water proof docks 20', see Fig. 2, are provided with an intermediate Hooring 128 and a wharf dooring 101, the water proofing 119 of such structure forming a union between the floors and embedding the structural framework 125 of such construction and since this dock structure is described and broadly claimed in my co-pending a plication, filed December 7th, 1906, Serial 1go. 346,774, I have deemed it unnecessary to describe indetail the construction of this dock, since reference may be had to the above mentioned co-pending application for a detailed description thereof, it bein deemed necessary in the presentcase to on y show one manner in which t-he tunnel way and the subway lines can be sealed into union with such a chamber.

Itbeing now understood that'the bed of construction is wholly or partially completed, the piers 85 being established and the bed of construction therebetween being ballasted to a desired grade, the next step in my novel method is the construction of the tunnel sections, which of course may be built either before,rafter or while the bed of Construction is being completed.

The tunnel sectz'0ns.-The first step in the construction of the tunnel section is the building of a structural framework 210, see

Figs. 7, 8 and 12, which consists of upper and lower chords 22 and 23 united byvertical I-beamsi24 and angle lattice work 25, the roof I-beams 27 and the floor I-beam's which are secured together in any suitable manner, suitable metal or other bracket 11.0

pieces 31 being employed which are secured to the vertical beams and the roof and flooring beams. End plates 39 are provided at the end of each tunnel section which are adapted to be secured together byV means of the fastening devices 50, see Figs. 9 and'lO, when two adjoining. tunnel sections are lowered into alinement. A lining member 49 is employed which 'is composed of metal plates provided with suitable tlanges,'secured together by means of the fastening devices 51, such lining member being riveted or otherwise secured to the vertical beams 24 by suitable fastening devices A52, as will be clearly understood byreference to Figs. 9 and 10. The outer face of the structural framework is embedded in any desired kind of water proof material 57, such as for example asphalt, which isv united with an outer sheathing element ofmetal or wood 58 and this outer sheathing element 58 is lined and ias si i) iii" y' i i. wi" iiisii ilziiv (ii. mi

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with the chambers 54, see more particularly Figs. 11 and 12, on both sides of the tunnel structures and extending to preferably the t'op of the sections of tunnel construction when in position. These chambers are now filled with ballast or grouting of any suitable material, such as for example concrete or cement, thereby completely embedding the metal reinforcements 209, which are located in or are part of the chambers 207 and 54.

ln order to properly confine the ballast at the top of the tunnel structure, I employ a box or crib 208, see Fig. 8, which serves to confine the ballast and this crib is formed with or has located therein metal reinforcements 209 so that after the joint formed by the meeting ends of two tunnel sections has been ballasted, the entire area around such meeting ends will be completely sealed by an outer encompassing element of concrete, cement or a combination of such materials 68 suitablv reinforced by metal elements embedded therein. A sealed joint will be formed between the meeting ends of the tunnel sections by forcing ballast through the conduit 45, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 9 and 10, so that intermediate the end plates 39 of the adjoining tunnel section a water tight seal of cement, concrete or other suitable material will be formed, see Fig. 8. All the sections of the tunnel may thus be laid in position and the meeting en ds sealed in the manner just described or any desired number of such sections may be laid and the inner face of the tunnel line finished as the work of construction is carried on. The end plates 39 are scoured together by means of suitable fastening devices, such as 50, see Figs. 9 and 10, and the chords 22, 23, 83 and 84 of the diffe-rent tunnel sections are united so that there through the will be a continuity of such chords extendino from one end of the tunnel line to the other end thereof. Entrance may be made orts 89 of the bulk heads/10 into the air ocked chamber 66 at one end of the tunnel section or through the air shaft 75. If the ports 89 are opened through the innerwalls of the bulkhead the entire tunnel section will form an air locked chamber. The bulk heads between the meeting ends may be removed subse uently to the establishing of a water tig t seal between the ends and the reinforced and encompassing ballasted union. Such bulk heads can be removed with or without the employment of air locked chambers in the ends of the structure and with or without equipping the structure with means for u Aizing pneumatic pressure and controllable means whereby such air locked chambers or the tunnel chambers may be placed under pneumatic' pressure.

two bulkheads 40 are shown at the end of As seen most clearly in Fig. 8,

a tunnel section which form the air-locked chamber 66 and each bulkhead is provided with a removable door 89. The air shaft 75 which is not shown in Fig. 8 opens into an air-locked chamber 66, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 7, in which such air shafts 75 are located directly above an air-locked chamber 66. The ends of thc encompassing elements of the tunnel way are effectually sealed and reinforced by calking with a suitable filling and reinforcing material to make good any defect there may be in the ballast, which has rbeen passed thereto in the process of ballasting the outer encompassing union of the meeting ends.

The water proofing and the elements of the bridging tunnel sections are reinforced with uniformity throughout and become a unit of structure with definite and reliable standards and adapted t0 operate in tunnel alinement with the bed of construction and the reinforced piers 85 as a traflic capacit structure, which is ballasted into union with the resistance bed of the water way between such piers 85, as will be now described.

The uniting 0f the tunnel .sections with the foundaz'on. beat-As hereinbefore described, the tunnel sections are provided-in their bottom with controllable ballasting ports 46. After the tunnel sections are lo.- catcd in position, piles may be established through these ballasting ports into lthe foundation bed in order to reinforce such bed to any desired standard of resistance. The foundation bed is preferably built up to such a height. that after the tunnel sections are located in position but slight ballasting will be necessary to ballast such sections` into union with the resistance bed 15 or 1G, depending upon the grade to which the` tun-- nel section has been previously constructed.. (l1-outing, together with concrete, cement or other suitable filling material is now forced through the ballasting ports 4G to establish a continuity of ballasted union between thev foundation bed of construction with the several tunnel sections throughout. the length of such tunnel line construction. .is soon as the concrete, cement and other filling, if desired, hasbecome set, the side pilings or walls 5 are cut ofi' at a suitable distance above the top of the tunnel and the tunnel line is completely embedded with a layer of any desired thickness of concrete, cement or other filling 100 and the whole structure so formed is ccmpletely covered with suitable filling mat@ rial, as will be best understood by Figs. 7, 11 and 12. The ends of the tunnel are ex, tended into the shore in water prent anion with thesubway or surface tralic li the connections thereto, as hereinlaefore scribed or are formedin water tight union with the water proof chamber of pier or dock structures or otherwise with shore apthe preaches or subways. 'Under such conditionsthe trussed bridging structures will reinforce the foundation bed to a continuity of bridging capacity on any section line in excess of the. bridging,r capacity ot tunnel sections when ballastcd into union therewith. and in the event ot' any break or detecty in the foundation beth thtnovcl manner in which the unit sectionsI ot' structure are constructed and united and cstablished in reinforced and reinforcing union with the bed will safeguard against any break or detect therein. and against any undue or excessiye strain being! iinposed on the construction or bed.

In the actual establishing of the tunnel structures on their foundation bed in ao cordance with my novel method. l mayltirst establish a tunnel section in alinement on the graded and alined water bed between the ends` of the tunnel line and build there4 from to both shores or l may transport the different sections as built into position over the alined water bed. lower such sections into position in accuratt` alinemeut on such bed so as to build from botlrends of the first placed sections toward4 the shore successively into water tight union with the shore Connections, which may be through the waterproof chambers ot' lthe wharf structures having their water ends extending to the port warden lines or otherwise, and with such walls extending back to the street lines and otherwise into the shore to any desired extent, vwithpassageways to subways if desired. I may also establish a section on one shore in water tight union with the shore connection, which may be the water tight chamber of a wharf or other construction, whereby a water passage 'ay will be established to the bulk head at the end of each section, and such transportable structure, when in position, may be placed in alinement on such graded and alined water bed so that the end next the section first placed will bein close proximity there to on the graded bed.

In order to construct with greater rapidity and economy and with great accuracy the reinforced portions 2 and the channel 207 and side alining resistances 1?17, 18 ---l8 and the chamber 5l with reinforcing 209 or otherwise in the framing. I may construct lsuch in the dry docks or in any other suitable place so as to form a transportable unit which mav be conveyed by means of suitable ioals or vessels, and then sunk into position in propel' alincment between'the side pilings 5-5 or continuous lines of side )ilings or walls and ballasted into union with the bed inaccurate grade. side and sectional alincmcnt in order to co-act with the tunnel .sections as lowered into position to bring the same into proper alinement.

In the drawings l have shown the piers 85 established at uniform distances apart throiurhoutl the tunnel line and pilings capped with ballast and side walls of pilings as reinforcements in the foundation bed and such are designed to be employed Where there is any uncertainty in the bed and if desired continuously throughout the tunnel line as, a further rcint'oiccment to the unit arca ot' re. istancc bcd. but it will be the exception where piers will be nccdcd otherwise than for aliueinent purposes, since a properly excaratcd and ballastcd area bed will att'ord, when reinforced by the bridging tun nel unil sections unitcd together, ample resistance and capacity. lt is sometimes advisable and praticable under my novel method, lo bridge the tunnel ways across any channels in the water bed or establish the structure partly .above or near thc surt'acc ot the ordinary bed to avoid heavy j rradcs. y

l have shown and described the sections and means by which subaqueous tunnels can be established with reliable standards of capacity in construction and by which every element in construction can be established as units or unit series and as single and multiple tunnel ways with absolute continuity'of su'ch construction from shore t0 shore or into union with my novel construe tion ot' wharves, but I do not confine myself to the exact construction or plans of procedure since my invention in its broad scope is not limited to'the manner herein shown, which simply lshows one form of a construction wherein my novel method may be carried out. I l f It will now be. apparent that the road beds of the passagesthrough the chambers of the docks or wharves with a continuity of unit bridging capacity of either single or lnultriple tunnel construction is established with reliable standards on all section and longitudinal lines throughout the foundation area of construction so as to provide` ade-- ouate factors of safety for the maximum train loads which can possibly be imposed upon any such unit or unit areas in single orV multiple construction in continuity throughout 4thc tunnel line. A bridging construction of area bed reinforcement can be built incoti'eralam or dry dock.chambers and transported by suitable detachablevand floatable yes'sels into position and alinement along a suitable graded, ba-llasted and alined bed and be ballasted into union therewith. If the supporting vessels shall be deloisvk tat-hable from such reinforced bed, the lat-` ter material may then be equipped with the tunnel way construction which can be accurately alined along such lted as hereinbefore described.

lt will now be understood by those skilled in this art that each tunnel section con sists of. one or my desired number of units Aso of single or multiple bridging tunnel way constructlon so that on any section line,

either sectional or longitudinal, the tunnel section itself, as well as the foundation bed of construction to which it is united, will each have a bridging capacity capable of supportingr the maximum train loads so that in case there should be a defect in the foundation bed of construction thc bridging capacity in the tunnel structure will be sufiicient to prevent any break down of the reinforced water proof construction of the tunnel way, consisting of the transportable sections.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The method of constructing. subaqueous tunnels which consists in establishing a Working chart above the water bed, excavating a Achannel in such bed to the grade and dimension alinements, establishingvan alineable grade, equipping such bed 'with grade and side alining supports and alin-` ing platforms, constructing transportable structures having bridging capacity in each unit length thereof, floating such structures beneath said platforms, lowering such structures into tunnel way alinement, establishing bridging capacity water tight unions at the meeting ends of the structures, and ballasting the united structures into union'with the. bed and its'equipments. v

2. Themethod of constructing tunnelswhich consists in establishing a' working.

chart above the water bed, excavating a channel in the water bed in accordancefwith such chart, piling the excavatedbed, cap-,

ping such piles with ballast, equipping'the channel with. means for alining the/tunnel structures while being -placed,jconstructing transportable tunnel'V .structures` having bridging capacity in each-unit length thereof, locating such structures in water tight bridging capacity union in exact tunnel way alinement along such ballasted bed, and ballasting the united structuresdnto union with the ballasted bed and itsuequipments and embedding. such united structures with ballast. v 3. The method of constructing tunnels, which consists in constructing in or extending from the shore subwater line water proof chambers having passages therethrough in tunnel alinement, establishing structural resistance beds in such chambers, constructing thereon transportable tunnel sections, grading and alining the water bed, transporting the structures from said chambers into tunnel alinement, lowering .the structures to placement into exact alinement on the graded and alined bed, joining the ends of meeting structures in water tight union until the last placed structures'. extend int-o the passageways of the water tight tunnels,

lishing the structures in exactali e chambers.

4. The method of constructing tunnels,

which consists in` constructing in or extending from the shore subwater line water.

proof chambers having passages therethrough in tunnel alinement, establishing structural resistance beds in such chambers, constructing thereon transportable tunnel sections, grading and alining the water bed, transporting the structures from said cha-mbers into tunnel alinement, lowering the structures to placement into exact alinemcnt on the graded and alined bed, joining the ends of meeting structures in Water tight union until the last placed structures extend in to the passageways of the water chambers, uniting the same into water proof union with such chambers, and then ballasting the structures into union with the bed thereunder. A

5. The method of constructing subaqueous which consists in constructing-in or extending from the shore subwater line water proof chambers havingv passages therefrom in tunnel alinexnent and adapted to be opened and closed, establishing structural. and alineable resistance beds 1n such chambers, constructing 'thereon transportable structures consistingl of any desired number .of units, grading and alinin the water bed-and equipping the same wit approximate and `exact side. alining piers,

transporting the structures, through said passages into tunnel alinement. between the side'alining piers, lowerin Athe structures into exact alinemcnt on t ev graded and alined. bed, joining the ends of meeting structures in water tight union, and uniting the endv structures into watertight union with such chambers.

6. The method of constructing tunnels,

which consists in constructing: in` or extending from the shorepsubwater line water proof chambers having passagesv therefrom in tunnel alinement grading-'and alining and equi ping uw war bed with bridging -Y and gra e alming piers, constructing transportable structures having bridging capac-l ity in each unit length thereof, transporting A the structures into tunnelalinement, estabthe gradev so that the ends of meeting st ruc.- tures are located in the alimn piers, uniting the meeting en l structures withA inner -and outer-lap Joint reinforcements tov form- .'fa 'cgmftinuity'- of ent on structural, bridging, water prooiing,and reinforcing elements,- andv joining the' end structures in water proof union wlthsaxd water proof chambers. A

'7. The method of constructing 'subaqueous l tunnels which consists in constructing in or extendingy from the shore `subwateriline uniting the ends of adjoining structures 'to form a continuity throughout the tunnel of bridging, structural, water proofingr and rc inforcing elements, joining the end sections in water proof union with such chambers, and ballasting the united sections into union with the resistance bed and its equipments.

8. The method of constructing subaqueous tunnels, which consists in establishing alininsT platforms above the water bed with :i`y

visible record of the work to be done, grad ing and alining the Water bed, reinforcingg the saine to definite standards of resistance and equipping the bed with means for the approximate, automatic and exact alinernent of the tunnel structures when placed, con` structing transportable structures and estab lishing them with a reinforced lap joint union in tunnel alinement on the graded and reinforced bed, and then ballasting the structures into union with such bed and its equipmentsm 9, The method of constructingr subaqueousy tunnels, which consists in ailiningiv the bed, equipping the alined bed With a Water tight chamber having a reinforced Water tight floor alineable and serviceable as a structural` alining; and construction bed for transport able tunnei structures during construction,

locating a tunnel structure on such bed, and unitingf it in water proof union with the tunnel construction extending into such chamber.

l0. The method of constructing subaqueeus tunnels, which consists in alining the water bed, constructing a water tight chamber having a passage therefrom in tunnel alinement andadapted to be opened and closed, establishing/a structural reinforced bed in tunnel alinemnt with such Wat-er tight chamber, constructing in such chamber transportable tunnel structures, and transporting the sections therefrom through said passageways.

11. The method of constructing tunnels, which consists in establishing a workingr chart above the Water bed, equipping the bed with side pilings or walls, providing means between the side Walls at predetermined places to t'orm a water tight chamber, grad ing. alininsr and reinforcing the bed of the rflvunler tor the, alinemcnt and constructitu'` ni transpdiable tunnel structures., constrwt'tu such structures in auch chanii'ier.

tim; the stru-tures `troni such chainbers and locating them in water tight union between the side pitiugjs or walls. ballasting the united structures into union with the bed and sido wallsK and covering smh united strurtures with ballastA l2 The method of construct insr subaqueous tunnels, which consists in grading and alining' the water bed` equippingr the bed with side pilings or walls, excavating and equipping the bed with chambercd side alining elements, prm'iding)r means between the side walls to forni a Water tight chamber, constructing tunnel structures in such chamber, transporting the structures from said Chainber through a passageway adapted to be opened and closed and establislling)r the structures in water tight union on the graded and alined water bed between the side pilings or walls with their meeting ends between the rhainbered side :dining elements, hallasting the meetingends to form a lap joint union, and ther; baliafetiug the united structures into union with the graded bed.

13. 'lhcnietlutd oi' t ouftr'uc't subaqueous tunnels, which venais# in finding the water bod and shore ter ,'-ppiugg such bed with side wait o? t i 1 rrd length, pio riding reuioxalh we rlurebetwcen at dining the hed ct sui-h tivinibefs, establishinf: on Such chamber tail :i t \'i soutient tonsisting oi' a doim molar nuit eugths. each of .said length tui n bridging eapacity therein, :wat 'iuitlroiingr the section into union with i bvd and itsl equipments H. The irwthod f v mi ing subaqucous tunnfs. which in watablishingi n workingy chut :there the :iter bed excavating. grading and aiming; such bed. equip ping such bed with sim tails ofh any de sired length. prwffdingl :vinoiable closures between such wu n, one or more l'uidging tunnel unit iena-tus to forni :a water tight chamber, excavating the bed within such chamber, Agrading. r-.'rint'ore1ng` and alining such chamber `bwlL constructing in such chamber transportable structures having bridging capacity in each unit length thereof, removing one of said closures, conveying the structures therethrough and establishing the saine along a graded and alined bed in tunnel alinenient with such chambers, building other sections and conveying Such therefrom in a similar .manner and into alinement' to unite with the last placed section having the meeting onda: of the sections in reinttu'red bridging capacity` and water tight union untii the shore connections are reached and joining` the cwi sections in water tight union with the shore connections.

t3. Pl'tie method of tunnels wnict s ni the water ft f til ring; the-saine with grading and aliu- Water proof drainage wells, establishing on such bed a tunnel construction having brid -U ing capacity in each unit length thereof, ba lastin the tunnel construction into union with its bed, uniting the drainage wells in Water proof union wlth the tlinnel Way, and providin r means of drainage thereto for re moving t e water therefrom.

16. he method of constructin tunnels, which consists in grading and aining the Water bed, equippin the samel with piers at desired points, esta lishing`a water proof drainage Well in one or more of said piers, establishing on -said bed a subaqueous tunnel having bridging capacity in each unit length thereof, uniting the enveloping Walls of the drainage wells inv water tight union with the tunnel way, and providing means for removing liquid from said wells.

17. The method of constructing tunnels, which consists in establis ing a working chart above the Water bed, excavating, grading and alining such bed, equipping the bed at one or more points with a subwater line water proof chamber having a passageway adapted to be opened and closed, constructing transportable tunnel structures, locating the same on the aded and alined water bed so that the en s extend into the passage- Wa 's of the chambers, and forming a watertig t union between the end of the sections andthe passageways to establish such shaun ber as an equipment or part of the sub aqueous tunnel.

18. The method ofconstructing subaque ous tunnels, which consists in constructing trussed bridge trainings and'embedding the v saine in concrete to form tunnel sections having bridging capacity in each unit length thereof and provided with Water tight re-y movable ends floating the sections into posi tion over a suitable graded and alined water bed, successively establishing.suchtransporti able structures in tunnel Way' alinement, sealing and uniting the meeting ends from both ends of such iii-st placed structures suc.

cessively to the shore coni'iectionsE providing the shore connections withA sub-veter line chambers, uniting, the adJacent structures into Water tight union tlierewitli,and then removing the Water tight ends aiidestablishing the tracks .through the unit sections.

19. The method Iof .constructing subaqueous tunnels, which consists in constructing tunnel sections having multiple tunnel ways, each tunnel Way section' bein encompassed by elements of construction in which there is continuitv of Water proofingembedding Li tc'lfili' :it il et Y c v soi-tions successively n bod. sealing and' um;

grade,

co-alinciiien' i the weet tion in each tunnel unit length, locating the sections with the ends of unit lengths on said supports, uniting the ends of tunnel sections, and ballasting the sections into union with the equipped bed.

21. The method of constructing subaqueous tunnel lines which consists in equipping the water bed with pilings extending to a suitable height above the Water level alon approximate side alining lines of the bed o construction, and equipping such pilings Witli workin" and aliningplatforms at a suitable heiglit above the water level across the bed of construction on defined section.

jsurvey and construction on corresponding ISections thereof.

23. The method ofconstructing subaque- `ons tunnels which consists in employing suitableineans to support and maintain and in establishing on such means, visible lines of alineinent and, tunnel way construction above the Water level at a series of places along and across the Water Way and the determined bed of tunnel way construction in conformity with the prepared plans of survey and construction.

24. The method of constructing subwater line passages across water Ways and into opposite shores which consists in constructing the saine in alinement and union with a suitable passageway construction extending lengthwise through the subwater line parts a wharf stint-turc extending into the @or way and then, completing the tunnel the opposite shore. 5, The method of constructing subaque- `1i-ous tunnels, which consists of grading a water bed, reinforcing such bed with equip ments to secure definite standards of support, equip ing said bed with means for autoxnatical y alining tunnel sections during placement, constructing transportable tun nel sections, locating such sections in tunnel alinement on the equipped bed, uniting the meeting ends of tunnel sections, and ballasting the tunnel way thus formed into union with the reinforced bed.

26. The method of constructing subaqueous tunnels, which consists in grading the water bed, establishing at detined distances apart piers, ballasting the bed between such piers, constructing transportable water roof tunnel sections having bridging capacity in each unit length, locating the sections in alinement on such piers, ballasting the ends of meeting sections to form a water tight union at such points, and then ballasting the sections into union with the piers and the bed thereunder throughout the entire len h of the tunnel line.

L The method of constructing subaqueous tunnels, which consists in establishing a. working chart above the Water bed, excavating and grading such bed and equipping the bed at one or more points with a water proof subwater line construction and tunnel Way equipment chamber having a pasn sageway adapted to be opened and close-d, building in such chamber transportable tunnel structures, removing such structures and locating them in alinement along the graded and equipped bed uniting the ends of meeting structures, an closing .the ends of the passageway from the chamber by uniting therewith the' ends of tunnel sections.

The method of constructing subaqueous tunnels, which consists in grading and :dining a water bed, constructing `trussed bridge trainings, embedding them in concrete. and closing the ends to form transportable tunnel sections, floating such sections into position over the equipped bed, lowering the sections into alinement and successively establishing the sections in tunnel way alinement, sealing and uniting the meeting ends from both ends ot the first placed sections successively to the shore cow nections and into Water tight union therewith, and ballasting the tunnel. structure formed by the sections into union with the bed.

2S). The method of constructing subaoneous tunnels, which consists in constructing tunnel sections having a bridging construction in cach iinit length' thereof and provided with a continuity of water prooting, enihcdtiling and reinforcing material, the ends ot' the sections heilig closed by remov alilc ends, grading and resistance :dining the water bed, locating the sections succes .siiely in co-alineinent on such bcd, sealing; and uniting the inectingends by a water tight lap joint union and uniting the show endsl into water tight union with the :shore connections. removing the ends of tunnel sections. building up a continuity of the in ner bridging construct-ion, water proofing and reinforcing material at the ends of meetingY sections. and hallasting t united sections into unon with the hed and 'its etplipments.

230. The method of constructing subaqucous tunnels, which consists in encompassing the shore end of a water bed with a piling or wall extending along the shore and back therefrom beyond the dimension alining lines ot a tunnel construction to be established and along both sides of the area Wa ter bed to a defined line. ei'nvaiating the` arca so inc ed to a grade below the grade of the tunnel, Yreinforcing such bed and es tablishing the requisitestandards of ca pacity therein, rading, ballasting and water proofing suc i bed to form a Water proof foundation floor over the entire area, providing the foundation floor at the water end with piers for supporting and alining a tunnel section when lowered, building in the chamber thus formed a tunnel section` ad mitting water into such chamber, .eating the tunnel sections from such chamber intl-o tunnel alinenicnt, joining the ends of tunnel sections and uniting lthe sections into water lproof union with such chambers, and then hallasting the sections into union with tifo foundation bed thereunder.

3l. The method ot constructing tunnels, which consists in establishing along the wa ter bed at unit distances ai tor supporting the tunnel constrluion. up in these Miers dizain: tunnel construction having i: in tof. ing in each unit length thm-cot" ends of unit lengths are sum piers. providingr the tnnuc channels, uniting' prooi union istil lilling*V the wpa@ l last to unito t inve iZ. The in which consi sections. con i g o i bedded in conf-rete a terial, sai-: training lining: prov chords also embedded in concrete proofing material, union du unci the tunuei 'with heat "am, .mais eating the sections in tunnel :din-en; i Isuitable equipped hed. uniting the i meeting sections and forming a com nity oi bridge framing chords and vfat/r ;-ofingy material. and hallusting the i d sections into union with the foundation tied.

ill,

33. The method of constructing tunnels which consists of constructing shore connections with subwater 1ine`waterproof chambers, and uniting the ends of a tunnel line in Waterproof union with said chambers.

34. The method oconstructing tunnels which c onsists of constructing shore connections wlth subwater linewaterproof chambers, uniting the ends of a tunnel line in waterproof union with said chambers,y and lo uniting a subway line in Waterproof union with one of said subwater line chambers,

JOS. S. WILLIAMS. Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, WM. CANER WIEDERSEIM. 

